पत्तन,पोत परिवहन और जलमार्ग मंत्रालय
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Government of India

Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) Wing is responsible for the development, management, implementation of capacity-building and institutional strengthening initiatives on National Waterways (NWs). The Wing is headed by the Advisor (Statistics) who is supported by one Director, one Under Secretary and one Section officer.

India has an extensive network of inland waterways in the form of rivers, canals, backwaters and creeks.  Freight transportation by waterways is highly underutilized in the country as compared to developed economies. India's hinterland connectivity is primary based on road and rail with domestic waterways playing a limited role. However, waterways are cost-effective and environmentally friendly means of transporting freight. IWT has the potential to supplement the over-burdened railways and congested roadways.  In addition to cargo movement, the IWT sector also provides a vital function in related activities such as carriage of vehicles (on Roll-on/Roll-Off-Ro-Ro- mode of cross ferry) and tourism.

The National Waterways Act, 2016 has declared 111 inland waterways as ‘National Waterways’ (NWs) in the country to promote shipping and navigation. The total length of the NWs is 20,187 km spread across 23 states in the country. 

List of 111 National Waterways 

The Government has laid special emphasis on the development of inland waterways as part of an integrated transport network system to realize their untapped potential. Cargo traffic on inland waterways has witnessed exponential growth, with a CAGR of 20.89%, increasing from 18.07 MMT in 2013 -14 to 180.07 MMT in 2025-26 (till Jan). In line with the targets set under MIV 2030 and MAKV 2047, the modal share of freight movement through IWT is aimed to increase from 2% to 5% and traffic volume is targeted to exceed 200 MMT by 2030 and 500 MMT by 2047. The number of operational NWs is targeted to reach 50+ by 2047. Through consistent efforts, 32 NWs has already been operationalized, contributing to the modal share for both passengers and cargo movement. Regional connectivity is targeted to increase from 2 neighboring countries currently to 4 by 2047.  Further, in pursuance of the budget announcements, out of 20 new NWs to be operationalized, 18 NWs will be operationalized for passenger/cruise movement by 2030.

Under the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, major reforms have modernized inland waterway operations. In 2024, two new rules were notified—the Design & Construction Rules (28 May 2024) and the Central Database & Allied Matters Rules (29 Oct 2024) to standardize vessel design, improve safety, and enable digital integration. In 2025, 7 existing rules were amended (May & Aug) to unify state regulations, simplify processes, and enhance ease of doing business. Further, Inland Vessels (Safe Navigation, Communication and Signals) (First Amendment) Rules, 2026 has been notified on 5th March, 2026.

Additionally, the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025 were introduced to boost private participation, infrastructure growth, and connectivity.

Inland Waterways Authority of India

IWAI has been constituted under section - 3 of the IWAI Act, 1986 for the regulation and development of inland waterways for purposes of shipping and navigation and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The head office of IWAI is at Noida, UP.

Key Initiatives undertaken:

1. NOC for private jetties:- MoPSW has launched an initiative to increase private sector participation in the development of IWT. This initiative aims to enhance infrastructure development and improve the ease of doing business. Regulations have been established to enable the construction of jetties and terminals by various entities including private companies, public organizations, and joint ventures on national waterways across the country. To facilitate this process, the Jal Samriddhi portal has been developed for private operators. The first application was received from M/s Marinetek on April 2, 2025, and a NoC was issued on April 9, 2025, for NW-68. Additionally, a NoC has also been issued to Yogayatan Port for NW-53.
2. Digital Initiatives:- The Ministry has introduced a range of transformative initiatives to modernize inland water transport.

Jalyan & Navic platforms serve as a centralized registry for vessels and crew, enabling “One Nation - One Registration” through a single-window system. 8625 vessels have been registered till date. Also, 16 states have been onboarded to the portal.

Jal Samriddhi Portal launched under the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025, to streamline NoC applications and attract private investment in riverine infrastructure. 

Naudarshika, the National River Traffic and Navigation System, is being developed to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable vessel movement, with real-time data on Least Available Depth (LAD).

CarD is a web-based portal for collection & compilation, analysis and dissemination of all the cargo and cruise movement data. Portal gives access of the data to public showcasing IWAI capabilities and potential of inland waterways transport (IWT).

PANI (Portal for Asset & Navigation Information) is an integrated solution bringing river navigation and infrastructure information on a single platform. It provides detailed information of various features of National Waterways and the assets such as fairway, infrastructure facilities, cross river structures, connectivity at jetties, emergency services for facilitating transportation of cargo.

Least Available Depth Information System (LADIS) portal ensures real time data on least available depth (LAD) to disseminate to ship/barge & cargo owners so that they can undertake transportation on NWs in a more planned way and to avoid any hindrance in service and operation.

3. Ship Repair Facilities at Varanasi, Patna and Pandu:- In a strategic move to position Uttar Pradesh as a leading regional hub for maritime services, a state-of-the-art ship repair facility is being developed in Varanasi. This facility will provide essential infrastructure and utility support for inland vessels. Similarly, the DPR for the ship repair facility at Patna, Bihar, is also being developed. Meanwhile, the ship repair facility at Pandu, Guwahati (Assam) is currently under construction, is near completion
4. Jhelum & Yamuna River Cruises:- As part of the Government of India’s broader push to enhance IWT and regional connectivity, several key initiatives have been undertaken along the Jhelum River NW-49 in Jammu & Kashmir for promotion of river cruise tourism. It is proposed from Pantha Chowk to Wular Lake consisting of 76 km. These projects aim to unlock the economic and tourism potential of the region by improving navigability, infrastructure, and passenger amenities. The efforts align with the national vision of promoting sustainable and multimodal transport solutions, while also fostering cross-sectoral development in the Union Territory. IWAI and the MoPSW signed a MoU with key Delhi government agencies to transform a 4 km stretch of the Yamuna (NW-110) between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur into a hub for eco-friendly cruise tourism. The project will feature electric solar hybrid boats equipped with bio toilets and advanced safety systems, along with the installation of 2 HDPE floating jetties to ensure smooth operations. This initiative aims to promote sustainable, short-distance navigation and enhance recreational tourism in Delhi.
5. QPOMs:- To ensure seamless movement of vessels, innovative Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanisms (QPOMs) have been introduced, eliminating delays and improving trade efficiency. Building on the success of QPOM on river Ganga (NW 1), the facility is now being extended to all the National Waterways. 2 nos. of QPOMs have been operationalized, one in Majhaua, Bihar and other in Nauranga, UP. 8 (4 in UP, 4 in Bihar) more to be installed by March 2027.
6. National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI):- National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) has been setup to develop Human Resource for Inland Water Transport Sector. The Institute provides induction, upgradation and professional development training to the manpower for manning, operating Inland vessels and to the IWAI staff for development of waterways and for repair and maintenance of vessels.
7. Hybrid Electric Catamarans:- MoPSW has launched an initiative to reduce carbon emissions and provide the public with a greener mode of transport. Under this program, vessels are being constructed by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (Hooghly CSL). Currently, 4 vessels have been deployed at Varanasi, Ayodhya, Patna and Kolkata, with 4 more scheduled for deployment at different locations across India. These vessels are operated by Inland Coastal and Shipping Limited, a subsidiary of the Shipping Corporation of India.
8. Neamati Ghat & Biswanath Ghat:- MoPSW has approved a proposal for the construction of a tourist terminal at Bishwanath ghat and a combined tourist cum cargo terminal at Neamati on National Waterway-2 in Assam, with an estimated investment of INR 158 Crore.
9. Regional Centre of Excellence at Dibrugarh:- MoPSW has approved a proposal for the construction of Regional Centre of Excellence at Dibrugarh, Assam, with a cost of INR 188 Crore.
10. Community Jetties :- Jetties are useful for the coastal communities as fish landing platforms. Under Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI) has undertaken construction of 60 new community jetties on NW-1 to boost the socio-economic condition of the people. These jetties are utilized by the riverine/coastal communities for transporting their goods, local trade promotion, livelihood support, tourism purpose, ferry operation etc. The total of 60 community jetties are already commissioned on NW-1 and 26 more  are proposed to be commissioned across different NWs by November 2026.
11. Recent MoU signed with Rhenus Logistics:- An MoU has been signed with Rhenus Logistics for deployment of 100 cargo vessels / pusher tugs on NW-1, 2, 16, and the IBP routes.
12. River Cruises:- 

• Viking Cruises, a renowned luxury cruise operator, is set to introduce river cruise services on the Brahmaputra River, marking a significant milestone in promoting river tourism in India.
• Royal Caribbean Cruise, has proposed to introduce 2 luxury vessels for river cruising in India. This initiative aims to bring world-class cruising experiences to Indian waterways.

13. Varanasi Freight Village (FV) at Varanasi:- A Freight Village is being developed in Varanasi, spread across 70 acres of land, to serve as a key logistics hub in the region. The National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a subsidiary of NHAI, has been entrusted with the development of the FV to drive this initiative forward, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has already been formed, marking a significant step toward creating an integrated multimodal logistics ecosystem.

Key Achievements:

1. Cargo Movement :- Cargo movement on National Waterways has witnessed a remarkable increase from 18.07 MMT in 2013-14 to 180.07 MMT in 2025-26, reflecting a strong CAGR of 20.89% over the period. Nearly 85% of this traffic is concentrated on 5 major waterways: NW-100, NW-91, NW-10, NW-1, and NW-97. The cargo mix is dominated by coal, iron ore fines, iron ore, coke and coal derivatives, sand, fly ash, vehicles, passengers, limestone, clinker, and cement, which together account for 85% of the total movement.

Cargo operations are currently operational on 32 National Waterways across India, of which 29 support both cruise and cargo services, while 3 are exclusively for cruise operations. In the current year 2025-26, approximately 180.07 MMT of cargo has been transported up to Jan 2026. The major commodities carried include coal (20%), iron ore fines (18%), iron ore (9%), and other coke & coal (9%), reflecting the growing importance of NWs in supporting bulk cargo movement and reducing logistics costs.

The top 5 NWs in India, based on cargo handling, are critical to the country’s IWT network, which are mentioned below:

• NW-100 (Shastri River-Jaigad Creek) primarily facilitates the movement of cement, coal, coal fines, coke, iron ore, and steel, serving industrial and construction sectors.
• NW-91 (Tapi) handles coal, coking coal, fly ash, iron ore fines, and pet coke, supporting energy and metallurgical industries.
• NW-10 (Amba) is dedicated to steel cargo and slag, essential for steel manufacturing.
• NW-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly) is one of the most significant waterways, transporting fly ash, coal, coking coal, fertilizers, and high-speed diesel (HSD), which are vital for agriculture and power generation.
• NW-97 (Krishna Godavari) manages cement, fly ash, granite, and sand, contributing to infrastructure development. Collectively, these waterways form the backbone of cargo movement through India’s inland waterways system.

The Jalvahak scheme, also called Cargo Promotion Scheme launched on 15 December 2024, encourages reduction in logistics costs, decongestion of road and railways networks, and adoption of a sustainable mode of transportation. Incentives of up to 35% of the actual operating expenditure incurred on waterway journeys on NW-1,NW-2 and NW-16 via IBP route are provided to cargo owners. Key components of the scheme include providing incentives directly to cargo owners for sustainable modal-shift of cargo from rail/ road to IWT, and funding scheduled services operations by ICSL.

Under the INR 100 crore Jalvahak Scheme, INR 3.13 crore has been released to date. A total of 18 scheduled movements have been successfully completed, accounting for 11.79 million-ton kilometers (MTKM). Additionally, 3 scheduled movements are currently in transit, representing 5.09 MTKM, marking a significant step towards enhancing inland waterway connectivity and passenger convenience.

2. Strategic Push on NW-1:- A high-level consultation workshop held in Patna on 16 June 2025 led to State Support Agreements with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and formation of a Task Force to identify IWT projects boosting multimodal logistics across key states.
3. Passengers Movement:- India’s inland waterways have experienced a significant rise in passenger traffic in recent years, especially in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, and Goa, where ferries are an integral part of daily commuting. Passenger movement has grown from 7.76 crore in 2024 - 25 to 9.01 crore in 2025 -26 (till Jan). The river cruise sector has also witnessed remarkable growth, with 443 river cruise voyages undertaken during 2024 - 25. As of January 2026, 15 river cruise circuits are operational across 13 National Waterways (NWs) spanning 9 states, greatly enhancing connectivity and tourism. The number of NWs designated for river cruises has increased from 3 in 2013 -14 to 13 in 2025-26 (till Jan), reflecting a strong push toward sustainable and experiential travel. Also, as per budget announcements, 18 NWs (out of 20 new NWs) have been identified for operation of cruises/passenger movemen in the next 5 years.

Estimated year-wise passenger traffic on inland waterways in India

4. Development at NW-5:- The estimated project cost is INR 12,204 crore, with a targeted completion timeline of 5 years from the date of approval. This initiative aims to facilitate cargo movement of approximately 18.8 MMT, excluding CIL/MCL cargo. It involves the development of a 332 km stretch with an assured Least Available Depth (LAD) of 3.0 meters to accommodate 2,000 DWT vessels. This corridor will connect the industrial and mineral hinterlands of Angul, Sukinda, and Dhenkanal with Paradip and Dhamra ports. Major commodities to be transported include thermal coal, iron ore, steel, and coking coal. A draft Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been shared with all stakeholders, and interactions with government and industry representatives have already been conducted.
5. Operational National Waterways:- Currently, 32 National Waterways (NWs) are operational across India, covering a total length of 5,155 km. Furthermore, 6 more NWs are proposed to be operational by March 2026, namely NW-13 (AVM Canal), NW-26 (Chenab River), NW-49 (Jhelum River), NW-51 (Kabini River), NW-84 (Ravi River), and NW-90 (Sharavati River). By 2030, a total of 76 NWs are expected to be operational across the country, significantly enhancing India’s IWT network.

List of Operational NWs

6. Achievements of Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP):- JMVP was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on January 3, 2018, with substantial financial assistance from the World Bank. The cost of the project is INR 5,061 crore.This strategic investment underscores India’s commitment to create a modern, sustainable, and efficient waterway network that boosts trade, connectivity, and economic growth. JMVP project focuses on the development of Multi-Modal Terminals (MMTs), Intermodal Terminals (IMTs), community jetties, navigational locks, and fairway development along National Waterway-1 (NW-1), covering 4 states - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal to enhance IWT infrastructure and connectivity.

Modern infrastructure has been developed to strengthen India’s IWT network. Multi-Modal Terminals (MMTs) have been established at Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia, along with an Intermodal Terminal (IMT) at Kalughat. A new navigational lock has been constructed at Farakka to facilitate smooth vessel movement. Additionally, 60 community jetties have been commissioned, improving connectivity and supporting local trade and passenger movement.

Key Projects

List of completed and ongoing Project Status of Waterways is mentioned below: